This video is the first of many that will constitute the "Creative Kirkwood" video series. The series aims to showcase different Kirkwood creatives working in a variety of media. 

Back in February, I wrote a post about the Mount Holyoke College 175th Challenge, geared towards young alumnae. Now that the challenge is over, the Office of Advancement has declared it a success! This makes me happy because I produced key content—five videos—for the challenge. 

Here's an update on the final numbers for the challenge:

The fourteen classes included in the challenge raised a total of $71,096. With matching dollars by trustees and bonuses for people who had not yet given in FY13, a total of $159,467 was raised. The most gratifying statistic for me is that during the last three videos, 20 donors that had not made a gift in the past six years were compelled to give gifts ranging from $5 to $200! A total of 691 first-time FY13 donors gave during the challenge. I'd like to give a shout to Class of 2010, which had the most new donors at 81. 

I made this thank you video back in May to be sent out at the end of the challenge:

This project is a great example of how in the creative process, perseverance can lead to a more effective final product. The video is a Mount Holyoke College giving appeal to young alumnae. In the video, Mary Lyon, who is like MHC's mascot, comes back from the grave and appears all over campus. She pronounces some of the advice she is best known for, in addition to a new piece of advice: to take the 175th Challenge! For young alumnae, it was a priority to use humor because giving can be a touchy subject (many alumnae still have college debt). This piece showcases my off-beat, yet heartfelt sense of humor. 

The video had many incarnations, including the draft below.

The four-month process that eventually led to the "She's Back" video was challenging. Key to working through these challenges was listening closely to feedback and bringing to life ideas that were innovative, yet fit within the look and feel of Mount Holyoke College. The result is a piece I feel is clear, succinct, and resonant with the target audience.